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Politicians held at Faslane

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Published Date: 09 January 2007
SEVERAL politicians were among nine people arrested at Faslane naval base yesterday during a cross-party protest against the renewal of the Trident weapons system.
The three MSPs, two MEPs, one Welsh Assembly member and a Dutch MP were hauled off by police after trying to blockade the entrance of the submarine base on the Clyde.

They had been part of a group of about 30 politicians from several parties who
joined a year-long demonstration by anti- nuclear campaigners outside the heavily guarded site.

Those at the protest included Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP's leader at Holyrood, the Scottish Socialists' national convener Colin Fox and other SNP and Green MSPs, Welsh Assembly members, and several Westminster MPs.

They watched as a small group of politicians and activists lay down in front of the gates about an hour into the protest, trying to lock themselves together with cable and bicycle locks.

Among those arrested were the SSP MSPs Carolyn Leckie, Rosie Kane and Frances Curran and the Green MEP Caroline Lucas.

Organisers of the Faslane 365 year-long demonstration said more than 400 people had been detained since the vigil began in October last year.

Westminster is to decide in March whether to give the £20 billion renewal the go-ahead.



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  • Last Updated: 08 January 2007 11:08 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Nuclear defence , Faslane
 
1

Keren,

09/01/2007 02:36:19

Yeah and where were the Lib Dims?

2

donald,

weegieland 09/01/2007 07:48:50

What happend to Labour politicians who used to demonstate - when the Towries were doing what they are doing now?

"Towries Aht! Vote Lyber!"

3

maestra,

09/01/2007 08:16:59

So, now we know who cares about Scotland's future and not just about his or her own sorry ass...

4

J,

Edinburgh 09/01/2007 08:36:11

Actually not that I would support Labour but there was one English Labour MP there yesterday. He was interviewed on the box.

5

JayJay,

Glasgow 09/01/2007 08:46:55

Sorry, am I missing something?
The trio of Leckie, Curran and Kane appear to make something of a habit of getting lifted at Faslane. Yes, they have made their point, but regrettably I do not expect my elected politicians to be filmed being huckled by four burly police officers, then fined or sent to Cornton Vale.
I do believe those with a criminal record should be immediately removed from their posts as MP's or MSPs. Rather than bawling abuse at the police on the West Coast, I believe these characters should be in Parliament ( I think they pick up a fair old wedge for working there) doing all they can to ensure that our spineless Executive does not allow Westminster to be trampled underfoot by Bush et al for a weapons system we buy, but can't even use without US permission.
That's the real irony of these "freedom fighters" arrests. They actually work in a place where you can make a difference. So get back there, and get lobbying. May isn't all that far away, and I doubt many people in Scotland are up for nukes on the Clyde. Send them off to Essex and see how they like it down there!

6

Dave C.,

Balnabreich 09/01/2007 08:51:37

"One English Labour MP there" ??!! Big deal. Why were there no Scottish Labour politicians there ? Didn't some of them used to be against nuclear weapons or have they all conveniently forgotten that ? BBC Radio Scotland had Labour MSP Jackie Baillie saying she thought the protests were directed at the wrong place. "It is in fact Westminster that make the decision," she said. "While I'm thankful
we live in a democracy, and people have the right to protest, I do wish they would focus on those
who are making the decision - those in the House
of Commons."

What a load of hot air. People are right to protest against nuclear weapons where these nuclear weapons are based. When the Trident nuclear missile system was inaugurated, the Campaign
for Nuclear Disarmament staged a mass lobby of parliament. As an active member of East Devon CND at that time, I travelled to Westminster to lobby my MP. We had to queue for hours. In
the end I did actually manage to see him. Some
of the anti-Trident lobbyists weren't so lucky. But although he went through the motions of meeting his constituents it was clear that he wasn't really listening and could hardly wait for us to shut
up so he could start mindlessly spouting his government's line. That was Maggie Thatcher's government, not that there is any noticable difference from Tony Blair's. Jackie Baillie
is just another tame government-line poodle
who is trying to divert attention away from
the fact that the great majority of folk in Scotland are against wasting umpteen billions of pounds
on these weapons of mass destruction, and that
she and her party in the Scottish parliament
could and should be representing the interests
of the Scottish people over this, not the interests
of their masters in London. Never mind "it's
a reserved matter", they know perfectly well
that if they chose to make it

7

James Moore,

Edinburgh 09/01/2007 10:20:09

One question i have to all those cowardice Scots who keep going on about nuclear weapons and non intervention in military conflict, Will an independent Scotland have a military force? Simple answer YES or NO

Also with regards to Faslane, it also provides employment and supports the local economy within the area!

Try talking to the local people for once before you start screaming for this base to be shut down!

Finally 3 MSP's got arrested at Faslane! Shining example of the sort of politican you will get if Scotland becomes Independent!

8

James Moore,

Edinburgh 09/01/2007 10:27:22

Also for your attention, the MOD is at the moment trying to decide on how to save money from the defence budget. What i see happening is the MOD shutting down all military bases in Scotland and transferring all personnel down to England!

What then for the local economy at Faslane, Rosyth and Leuchars and other military installations! What gutless MSP's will try and explain their actions to those who have lost their jobs and livelihood as a result of the socialist looney policies as shared by the likes of Rosie Kane!

Never mind the SNP is going to turn Scotland into an Islamic state if anything with regards to yesterdays story about muslim schools in Scotland!

Time to wake up everybody!

9

Wisnaeme,

Sent to Coventry, 09/01/2007 11:28:22

Have you ever heard expressed," turnng swords into plowshares" Mr Moore? Tell me Mr Moore # 8 & 9, Which of the two items mentioned above bring prosperity and dispells fear from attack from other nations or peoples who whould rightly feel threatened by the modern day equivilent of the other item mentioned?

Many jobs have been lost in Scotland already with the closure of heavy industries. We've survived that although hardship was endured.Nostalgia for what has passed into history or attempts to be a "world power" is risible particular when there are so many other more pressing needs of the Scottish nation to be addressed and financed. The welfare and well being of the Scottish nation as a whole does not depend on an unwanted and dangerous intrusion dumped down in our mist by the diktats from an other country and from another place and from politicians whose egos and delusions have replaced what principles they ever purported once apon a time to aspire to.

10

bill-alba,

Fife 09/01/2007 11:47:05

Mr Moore...of course Scotland will have a military...and I am glad to say...it won't be spending 25 billion on weapons that cant and wont be used..
Westminster will of course continue to shut down Scottish bases to save money.and will not take jobs into consideration...a free scotland would I presume spend the military budget in Scotland....Its time you woke up...Ive seen some comments before but "The SNP will turn Scotland into an Islamic state as taking the biscuit..(read the story in the press again....Alex says he would look into any representations...the Scotsman changed that to the SNP vow on Islamic schools.....grow up and vote for a Free and Independent Scotland.

11

Billy,

Germany 09/01/2007 12:08:46

Moore, youre making yourself sound like a right idiot. SNP turning Scotland into an islamic state???. Try learning to read, not just listen and follow sheep- like after your local labour liar.

People are outraged because, once again, Labour
let down the people who have voted for them all their life. Betrayal and incompitence at every turn,
and it looks like they have still got you , Hook Line and Sinker.

12

Jill Ferguson,

Glasgow. 09/01/2007 18:21:22

Again Scottish Socialist MSP's are arrested for "Breach Of The Peace" and blockade of the gates at Faslane Submarine Base, on the Clyde. Despite the growth in the numbers of objections against renewing nuclear deterrants, or even the need for them, the number of times we have seen SSP MSP's arrested is farcical, and a waste of tax payers money,when - really they should know better.

Direct action at demonstrations or protests is clearly a well used strategy by the SSP, and one which gains it media publicity. But the extent at which this strategy is used, along with its questionable success, transformed into votes, has to be looked at, if the SSP wan't to be regarded as a serious fighting force in Mays Holyrood Election. Surely far more focus on the Party Manifesto would assist in the Scottish Socialist Party being seen as a viable party, otherwise this latest "prank" will just take any credability away from the SSP.

On a personal note, and as a former member of the SSP I even spoke to one of the arrested MSP's today, who saw it as a joke, and something amusing, being held for 9 hours in a police cell, once arrested. Is this the type of MSP we want to have voted in come May ?

13

James Donald,

Midlothian 09/01/2007 23:56:33

Personally I do not see the role of MSPs as direct action of this kind. As they are politicians, they should confine their opposition to Trident to Parliament and political lobbying. As for these SSP bitches, sooner we get rid of them the better.

14

Royster,

10/01/2007 07:05:07

#11. Scotland will have a military. What for? Without the backing of England, Scotland is useless militarily. You're either full square behind the union with the funding and a military capable of defending our island or you shut the whole thing down completely in an independent Scotland.

15

James Moore,

Edinburgh 10/01/2007 09:34:46

#12 Billy Incompetence! I'll say no more to you!

#11 Bill Alba Yes i want to see an independent Scotland but not led by the current crop of mediocre Scottish politicans from all parties! Also you state Scotland will have a military force, perhaps you can elaborate? Also with regards to the Muslim debate, why the hell is the SNP looking at Muslim schools in Scotland! So much for integration more like segregation! Muslims in Scotland and in the rest of the UK make up no more than 3% of the population, so why?


 

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